Blanket fastener



1942- P. E, ALLEN BLANKET FASTENER Filed Aprii'lS. 1940 J7 ye 12/074 au/E Patented Oct. 20, 1942 5 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE BLANKET FASTENER Paul E. Allen, Niles Center, 111., assignor to Richard G. Krueger, New York, N. Y.

Application April 15, 1940, Serial No. 329,651

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a novel construction of fastener or holding device especially adapted for use in holding the blanket or bed covering on an infant in a crib or baby bed and to insure maintaining this covering in a predetermined position. By reason of this novel construction, there is no danger of the blanket or other covering becoming disarranged or accidentally removed, thereby relieving a mother of one of the most prevalent worries.

In the present novel embodiment, the fastener or holder is illustrated as constructed in the form of a pair of arms or members preferably of plastic composition pivotally connected adjacent one end and formed or provided with interlocking jaws at the other end, and so contoured and constructed that the interlocking jaws may be openedwide to receive bed clothing, and when closed, tightly grasp the blanket or covering therebetween and retain their grip thereon under all conditions of normal use.

The invention further comprehends a novel means and method of locking and maintaining the jaws in their gripping relation, with the locking means adjustable to vary the gripping pressure and also allow for the retention of covering or bed clothing of different thicknesses, the arms being so pivoted that the jaws may be Widely opened should the occasion arise. In order to prevent damage to and to most efiectively grip the covering, one of the jaws is provided with an elastic insert of rubber or the like, preferably ribbed or corrugated in such manner as to enhance its gripping effect.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, eificiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a babys crib or bed in which the blanket or covering is retained in position by a pair of the novel fasteners attached to the end posts or supports.

Fig. 2 is a view, part in end elevation and part in vertical cross section, of the novel blanket fastener shown as holding the blanket on other bed covering, and further showing in dotted outline the manner of spreading the arms when it is desired to remove the blanket.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of one side of the fastener or holder taken on the irregular line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with parts broken away to more clearly show the gripping of the blanket or other bed covering.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but taken on the irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and showing the opposite side of the fastener.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in horizontal cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section taken on the irregular line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the novel locking member.

Fig. 9 is a view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 99 of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the novel construction is shown in Fig. l as applied to a babys crib or bed for fastening or holding the blanket or other covering in a predetermined position. In this view is shown a pair of fasteners l secured to the upper edge of the blanket or covering 2 with the fasteners connected to the posts of the bed 3 by means of an adjustable tape or elastic 4.

Each fastener or holder I comprises a pair of arms 5 and 6 with the bifurcated ends I of the arm 5 pivotally mounted at 8 upon the reduced neck 9 of the arm 6. To materially strengthen these arms and to cause them to return to and maintain their conformation under the strains imposed thereon, they are preferably downwardly flanged at It] along their sides or periphery. In order to connect the holder to an adjustable length of tape, elastic or other suitable material 4, the extension ll of the arm 6 is provided with a lateral slot l2 adapted to receive the tape, as more. clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The free ends of the arms 5 and 6 are so contoured as to form off-set, interlocking jaws I3 and-l4, respectively, adapted to overlap and grip therebetween an end or portion of the blanket or covering 2. To most effectively grip the blanket or covering, the inner surface of the arm 5 adjacent the jaw I3 is formed with stepped ribs or projections l5, l6 and I1 extending transverse of the arm, while the jaw I4 is hollowed out to receive the reduced end of an elastic-insert l8, the enlarged head [9 of which is provided with laterally extending ribs or corrugations cooperating with the projections l5, I6 and H on the jaw [3 in such manner as to tightly grip the blanket or covering.

By providing the resilient or rubber insert It! with an exposed resilient gripping head or surface l9 of relatively large area (see Figs. 5 and 6), the effective gripping area of the jaw 14 is materially increased, and this combined with they ribs or projections l5, l6 and II on the jaw l3, provides an undulated or tortuous anchorage for the blanket or covering. Furthermore, by forming this member of resilient or yieldable mate.- rial, any strain imposed on the blanket or covering causes this member to yield with the blanket, but at the same time its frictional resistance and its wedging action with respect to the ribs and adjacent Walls of the jaw l3, materiall increases its gripping action without danger of damage to the covering.

In order'that these jaws may be retained in a position to most effectively hold the blanket, the invention comprehends a novel form of locking means for retaining the jaws in tight gripping engagement or contact With the article. This interlocking means comprises a member 20 adapted to completely encompass the arms 5 and 6 and when in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the inner ribs 2|, 2lflar'e' adapted to ride over the embossments 22 and anchor in the notches formed between adjacent groups of embossments (see Fig. 2). In order to prevent this locking member from becoming detached or removed from either end of the holder, it is provided with a pair of inwardly extending projections 23, 23, which in the retracted position to permit the jaws l3 and M to be opened to their fullest extent, abut against the adjoining interior surfaces of the arms 5 and 6 adjacent their pivotal mounting and prevent further retraction and removal of this locking member. In addition, these projections limit the amount to which these arms may be opend.

Although the fastener is disclosed as preferably constructed of a plastic composition, it may be formed of any material suitable for the purpose and which may be easily kept clean and sanitary;

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

A blanket fastener for a babys bed or crib, comprising a pair of bowed gripping members pivotally secured together and each provided at its extremity with an inturned clamping jaw projecting inwardly in overlapping, spaced relation and cooperating projections associated with each clamping jaw for gripping and holding the edge of a blanket therebetween, an adjustable locking member encompassing and slidably mounted on said gripping members, interlocking projections on the abutting surfaces of said locking member and gripping members for locking the latter in gripping relation in such manner as to hold the blanket against accidental displacement or removal, and inwardly extending projections on said locking member for limiting adjustment of said member upon the gripping members and preventing removal of said first mentioned member.

PAUL E. ALLEN. 

